CF Montreal vs DC United Prediction: Sebastian Breza Needs To Improve

• CF Montreal will take on DC United this Saturday at the Stade Saputo  
• CF Montreal are unbeaten in their last four matches in the MLS
• DC United haven’t got a win in their last five matches in the MLS

CF Montreal vs DC United Odds

CF Montreal vs DC United Prediction

This is a match between two sides on the opposite ends of the MLS table. CF Montreal are currently second on the Eastern Conference standings and have a chance to sit at the very top with some luck, whereas DC United are currently at the bottom of the same conference and going to end up there after the regular season ends with just two games to go.

DC United have the better head-to-head record, which should be no surprise considering their glorious history in the MLS. This is what they need to restore heading into next season. They’ve won 12 of their 27 matches against CF Montreal, drawn seven and lost eight. It won’t help make them favorites heading into this tie, however. CF Montreal are playing at home and have got more than double the points that DC United have accumulated this season. CF Montreal should win this game comfortably if we go by the form of the two sides this season.

Previous Meetings

The last meeting between the two sides went CF Montreal’s way back in July. They won with a 2-1 scoreline thanks to an excellent start. Romell Quioto opened the scoring in the very first minute for the away side before getting his second in the 35th minute.

Most of the work was done in the first-half but they had to hold tight for long periods. Steven Birnbaum got one back for the home side in the 56th minute and you can’t say that it wasn’t well-deserved. DC United took 12 shots to CF Montreal’s nine and had three on target just like CF Montreal. CF Montreal, however, had 58% of the possession and had the two-goal lead, which made it a lot easier to control the rest of the game.

CF Montreal Put In A Professional Display Against New England Revolution

All it took was one goal from Alistair Johnson in the 72nd minute, a little over a week ago, for CF Montreal to record their 18th win of the campaign against New England Revolution. CF Montreal were worthy winners on the day, taking 18 shots and finding three on target compared to New England’s 10 in goal and three on target. CF Montreal also had 60% of the possession in this tie, which is usually a factor in deciding who the more dominant team is.

However, the goal didn’t come from patient build-up play but from a lively counter-attack. CF Montreal fans will be encouraged by how they’re managing to score goals from different phases of play.

Can Still Top The Eastern Conference

It’s a difficult task but CF Montreal could still top the Eastern Conference standings. They’re currently five points behind LAFC. To get on top, they’ll need to win both their games, one of which is being covered in this piece, and need Philadelphia Union to not get over one point in their two remaining fixtures. It’s unlikely but CF Montreal should go into this match with that as the motivation.

Sebastian Breza Needs To Improve

CF Montreal have had a lot of positives all season but their goalkeeper, Sebastain Breza, hasn’t been one. The team have conceded 49 goals all season despite having an expected goals against value of just 34.1 this season, which is the second best in all of the MLS.

That’s a difference of almost 15 goals and it’s hard not to look past the goalkeeper as being culpable for letting a lot of the goals in. The 24-year-old is quite young and should get better over time since goalkeepers historically play for a lot longer and start playing professionally a bit later than outfield players. However, he could cost them goals in the playoffs, which are going to be decided by the finest of margins.

They’re likely to stick by him for another season but opportunities to win the MLS don’t come along that often. This team certainly has the potential to win it and it’d be better if they look for an upgrade next season or at least get the sort of competition that might force him to come good.

DC United Suffer Last-Minute Heartbreak Against Inter Miami

A goal four minutes into added time from Gonzalo Higuain killed DC United hearts last week in a thrilling 2-3 loss. Christian Benteke gave DC United the lead in the 22nd minute but they couldn’t hold onto it for long after Leanardo Campana scored the first of his two goals in the 39th minute, with the second coming in the 53rd minute.

Taxiarchis Fountas got the equalizer four minutes later but it wasn’t enough on the day. DC United took 17 shots to Inter Miami’s eight but they lacked the clinical edge, something’s been an issue all season among others.

Wayne Rooney’s Bought Some Spirit Back Into The Side

Other than the 6-0 loss to Philadelphia Union, DC United have been competitive in most games since Wayne Rooney’s arrival. They haven’t got a lot of points since and haven’t won enough matches but the matches are often tight enough to suggest that there’s been some progress.

Getting that spirit back is the foundation of any sports team and this wasn’t there prior to Rooney’s arrival. He’s still got a big job on his hand but if players can’t play for someone who is as big as Wayne Rooney the game, they’ll have no chance elsewhere.

Need To Build From Defense

DC United need to improve in multiple areas heading into next season but it’d be ideal to start from defense. They have the likes of Ola Kamara and Taxiarchis Fountas, who can get you double digits as far as goals are concerned.

Rooney played for a very successful Manchester United and a fairly strong England side for the most part but they weren’t always dominant on the ball. They relied on the counter-attack quite heavily at the best of times and that requires a strong backline and midfield – one that wants to play hard.

This is also the ideal way to go about improving a side that’s struggling. Get some energy in that backline and deep midfield area and be clinical in transition. It’s unlikely to help DC United in their upcoming tie but should work against most other sides next season.

How to Watch CF Montreal vs DC United